Conference Theme

Sub-themes

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Cities within Landscapes
Along with the rise migration to cities, urban areas continue to grow and, once established, form part of complex landscapes related to the major components of global change. The complexity of such socio-ecosystems is revealed in the essence of their physical, biological, cultural, and social components. The metabolism of cities transforms related regional ecosystems at multiple scales through various uses and activities, such as agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, and ecological processes. When present, cultural landscapes can play a dynamic role as a regenerative force. The design and maintenance of these transformations is key to regional and global sustainability.

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Human Health
The health of the biological component of urbanized landscapes, both within and outside cities, is key to the provision of ecosystem services (and disservices) and human health. Although many urban scenarios are detrimental for biodiversity, others are not, and for this reason urban areas can become important conservation zones within human-dominated landscapes. Thoughtful research and evidence-based design is critical for creating cities and landscapes that are good for both nature and people.

Planning, designing and managing landscapes for livability
Landscapes are transformed and managed to meet modern human needs, such as health, housing, food, goods, and services. However, many human practices result in damaged landscapes and environments. Such practices are unsustainable, and result in diminished resilience and liveability. In many cases they also contribute to social injustice. Global change makes it imperative to focus trans-disciplinary efforts on planning, designing, and managing sustainable, resilient, local based adaptive landscapes that also are liveable and just.